Lecture Leads

The University of Washington Dream Project’s Lecture Lead internships offer passionate UW undergraduate students hands-on and on the ground opportunities in education to engage in community-based learning experiences. As a paid internship opportunity, students are provided the option to learn, gain opportunities contributing in K-12 public schools, and reflect on those experiences. Lecture Leads will commit 6.5 hours. This time will be spent brainstorming and informing lecture content based on their previous Dream Project roles, in The Dream Project Center supporting the learning of mentors, and in professional development sessions completing peer learning. To enable Lecture Leads interns to fully dedicate 6.5 hours per a week to the program, interns will receive a $ per quarter stipend.

As a stipend internship, this learning opportunity supports peer learning of undergraduates mentoring in local under-resourced high schools and the professional development of interns: mentors are better prepared to enter the communities we serve through facilitation of peer learning in lecture, while students interested in education are supported to explore this career path by receiving an educational stipend that enables them to embark on an internship experience.

The Lecture Leads serve as the primary representatives of multiple roles in Dream Project for lecture through reflecting on previous roles they’ve held in the organization (i.e. mentor, CCRA, mentee), that informs the planning process of lecture, which ultimately supports peer learning of mentors. Between 1-2 interns support each mentor lecture in Dream Project.

Internship Values & Learning Objectives

Value #1: Advocacy

Interns will learn information, tools, and resources to assist in navigating complex systems and overcoming barriers related to accessing post secondary pathways. Interns will coach mentors in using these tools so that they can better support mentees in accessing the post high school opportunities of their choosing.

Value #2: Collaboration

Interns will gain experience working collaboratively and in teams as Lecture Lead co-lead pairs and as part of the larger Lecture Lead cohort and Dream Project student leadership team.

Value #3: Community Engagement

Interns will build self-awareness and practice cultural humility as they learn about and experience the school community they are placed within. Interns will explore the impact that identity and privilege have on community work and be reflective about their own identity, experiences, privilege, and positionality.

Value #4: Equity

Interns will develop a critical and complex lens for understanding the US educational system as it correlates with access, opportunity and social mobility. Interns will develop a nuanced understanding of the structural and institutional barriers and forms of oppression that exist within the US public education system and the impact on student experiences and outcomes, particularly focusing on underrepresented and/or marginalized populations.

Value #5: Self-Initiative and Accountability

Interns will learn about and display self-initiative and leadership through supporting coordination of Dream Project lectures. Interns will reflect on their leadership styles and experiences, honing leadership skills and practices. Interns will also be accountable for their actions and hold mentors accountable according to program expectations. Interns will engage in giving and receiving critical feedback.

Description/Responsibilities

Engage and facilitate in intentional reflection on community, intent, impact, and identity through UW service learning course EDUC 260/360 over the course of a year. This includes anti-oppression practices and perspectives that include diverse socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.

Support student learning through supporting planning of courses that train mentors to enter partner schools for high school visits and explores important knowledge and perspectives related to social justice, college access, and mentorship strategies.

Guide mentors to develop anti-oppression practices and perspectives that include diverse socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds